Filmmakers who make independent movies can get lost in the vision of their film and forget about the audience sometimes. Making the movie becomes so important that the other parts of the filmmaking process get pushed to the side. Getting the film made is important, but so is knowing what's in it for the audience.

A movie, just like any other product has to offer something to the audience. It solves a problem that this person has. A mainstream movie solves the problem of how to be included in mainstream society. If it's the big movie of this season and you haven't seen it, then you aren't really part of society. Oftentimes the quality of these movies isn't even an issue. Movies help us as an intangible piece of evidence that you are indeed a normal person, amongst other things.

Pre-Release Conversation Material

This is the part of the release of the movie that most people can participate in. It's the prognosticating, the analysis of the advertising, and general building of excitement. This is the beginning of the time where somebody could prove to somebody else how cool they are. If a person makes guesses as to how popular or good a movie will be and it turns out to be true, this person's credibility is raised in the eyes of peers.

Theater Ritual

Nothing communicates as effectively as rituals. We know that death is a big deal because we have elaborate ceremonies that accompany it. Likewise, the ritual of movie-going makes it that much more concrete that indeed you are a normal person because you are sharing this experience with so many others in the culture. The act of going to see a movie takes a lot of effort and that shows that it's an important thing to do. The fact that you are willing to get dressed, get to a movie theater, stand in line, buy a ticket, purchase snacks, and sit through a two-hour presentation is incontrovertible evidence that you are a normal person. Just like participation in any number of coming-of-age rituals proves that you are an adult.

Post-Show Water Cooler Talk

Having seen this new big-budget movie you can now share your experience of seeing it with a good portion of the population. If you are the first to see it that raises your status a bit. Having an insightful comment about the movie can also increase your esteem. Seeing the movie is only part of the discussions that go on, many of them are only started under the pretense of being about the movie. The discussion of the newest Hollywood fare quickly can turn into a tirade about gas prices, how expensive babysitters are, and how rude teenagers are.

DVD Owning

Now you've seen the movie and talked about it with others. Even though you already know what happens in the story, you want to buy it to own. You may never watch it or you may watch it incessantly, it doesn't matter. The owning of something is a signal to people, an expression of yourself. A guest at your house looking through your DVD library will learn a good deal about you by what titles are included in it. Not only will it be a shorthand for parts of your personality, it may also be a great conversation starter. You may find your new best friend based on your mutual adoration of a movie.

Background Noise On TV

Now that you've seen it, talked about it, and now own it, it will soon become an everyday part of existence. This movie will go from the event that it once was to become just another part of the daily media barrage. While relaxing on your couch you might flip through the channels and see this movie playing and watch a few scenes of it. You might have family over for a holiday and have it on the TV while the celebration goes on. It will show your family members that you are normal and is also a familiar and pleasant way to fill in gaps of silence or replace conversation altogether.

Some of these may seem far-fetched and in fact nobody uses movies in the same way as someone else is. These are a close approximation of what your average moviegoer gets out of the movie. It's likely your movie will fulfill these requirements and others for a culture of some kind. Your movie may not become a mainstream cultural trinket, but it may be one for a smaller subculture. It could be for independent film goers, hipsters, geeks, or a new culture created around your unique vision. Whatever it be, keep in mind that your movie is not just a movie for the people who watch it.